City Council · February 10, 2026 · 7:00 PM
City Council Meeting
Council approved a slate of board and commission reappointments and appointments (multiple 2026-0XX items) and declared vacancies on the Library Board and School Committee; the Council also referred a broad set of fiscal and ordinance orders — including 2026-008 (Council Rules), copier lease 2026-024, school ball field funding 2026-027, cemetery ordinance 2026-041, MassWorks grant 2026-037, and the North Shore HOME grant 2026-042 — to standing committees for further review.
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Key decisions
Approved reappointments 2026-005, 2026-006, 2026-007, 2026-009, 2026-010, 2026-011, 2026-012, 2026-013, 2026-014, and 2026-017 as presented (various boards and commissions).
Approved reappointment of Annmary Connor (2026-015) and Andrew LeFleur (2026-016) to the Amesbury Affordable Housing Trust.
Approved reappointment of Michael Hogg to the Energy, Environmental and Sustainability Committee (2026-018).
Appointed Pamela Gilday to the Energy, Environmental and Sustainability Committee (2026-019).
Appointed Kelly Sullivan to the Amesbury Affordable Housing Trust (2026-020).
Reappointed Jessica Redfern to the Open Space, Natural Resources and Trails Committee (2026-021).
Reappointed Michael Hogg to the Disposition Committee (2026-022).
Withdrew 2026-023 (Reappointment of Claudel Frederique to the Community Development Block Grant Advisory Board) without prejudice.
Approved the monthly lists of licenses (December & January).
Declared a vacancy on the Library Board of Trustees.
Declared a vacancy on the School Committee (Kate Slater resignation).
Referred 2026-008 (Rules and Procedures for the Fifteenth Session of the Amesbury City Council) to the Ordinance and Administration Committee with a second reading scheduled for March 10, 2026.
Referred 2026-024 (authorize the Mayor to enter a five-year contract for one new copier) to the Budget and Finance Committee with a second reading on February 24, 2026.
Referred 2026-025 (rescind acceptance of MGL Chap 90 sec 20A-1/2 and replace with MGL Chap 90 sec 20A-2025) to the Ordinance and Administration Committee with a second reading on February 24, 2026.
Referred 2026-027 (transfer from School Capital Accounts to fund the ball field project at AHS) to the Budget and Finance Committee with a second reading on February 24, 2026.
Referred 2026-028 (appropriate $200,000 from Free Cash to Stabilization Fund) to the Budget and Finance Committee with a second reading on February 24, 2026.
Referred 2026-029 (appropriate $100,000 from Free Cash) to the Budget and Finance Committee.
Referred 2026-030 (transfer from Salary Reserve to Police Sick and Vacation Buyback) to the Budget and Finance Committee with a second reading on February 24, 2026.
Referred 2026-031 (appropriate from Sewer Retained Earnings) to the Budget and Finance Committee with a second reading on February 24, 2026.
Referred 2026-032 (appropriate from Water Retained Earnings) to the Budget and Finance Committee with a second reading on February 24, 2026.
Referred 2026-033 (transfer $231,535 from Streets and Sidewalks Stabilization to DPW Streets and Sidewalks) to the Budget and Finance Committee with a second reading on February 24, 2026.
Referred 2026-034 (accept and expend a Last Call Foundation grant award) to the Budget and Finance Committee with a second reading on February 24, 2026.
Referred 2026-035 (accept and expend a Newburyport Society for the Relief of Aged Women grant) to the Budget and Finance Committee with a second reading on February 24, 2026.
Referred 2026-036 (accept and expend FY26 formula grant funding for COA) to the Budget and Finance Committee with a second reading on February 24, 2026.
Referred 2026-037 (accept and expend FY26 MassWorks Grant) to the Budget and Finance Committee with a second reading on February 24, 2026.
Referred 2026-038 (accept FY26 earmark—Digitization and Preservation of Municipal Documents) to the Budget and Finance Committee with a second reading on February 24, 2026.
Referred 2026-039 (accept FY26 earmark—Chromebooks) to the Budget and Finance Committee with a second reading on February 24, 2026.
Referred 2026-040 (accept FY26 earmark—Parking Study Phase 2) to the Budget and Finance Committee with a second reading on February 24, 2026.
Referred 2026-041 (Ordinance to amend Chapter 237 Cemeteries) to the Ordinance and Administration Committee and the Budget and Finance Committee with a second reading on February 24, 2026.
Suspended Rule 5D to allow late-file items to be considered.
Referred late-file 2026-042 (authorize the Mayor to accept and expend the North Shore HOME Consortium grant - $91,983) to the Budget and Finance Committee with a second reading on February 24, 2026.
Agenda
Mayoral Appointments
2026-005. Reappointment of Jane Snow to Cemetery Advisory Commission
Reappointment of Jane Snow to the Amesbury Cemetery Advisory Commission for a term to expire February 28, 2029.
Mayoral Appointments
2026-006. Reappointment of Fred Zackon to Conservation Commission
Reappointment of Fred Zackon to the Amesbury Conservation Commission for a term to expire February 28, 2029.
Mayoral Appointments
2026-007. Reappointment of Sally Nutt to Cultural Council
Reappointment of Sally Nutt to the Amesbury Cultural Council for a term to expire February 28, 2029.
Mayoral Appointments
2026-009. Reappointment of Nancy Maynes to Energy, Environmental and Sustainability Committee
Reappointment of Nancy Maynes to the Energy, Environmental and Sustainability Committee for a term to expire February 28, 2029.
Mayoral Appointments
2026-010. Reappointment of Barbara Lorenc to Energy, Environmental and Sustainability Committee
Reappointment of Barbara Lorenc to the Energy, Environmental and Sustainability Committee for a term to expire February 28, 2029.
Mayoral Appointments
2026-011. Reappointment of Thatcher Keezer to Board of Assessors
Reappointment of Thatcher Keezer to the Board of Assessors for a term to expire February 28, 2029.
Mayoral Appointments
2026-012. Reappointment of Emily Behn to Board of Assessors
Reappointment of Emily Behn to the Board of Assessors for a term to expire February 28, 2029.
Mayoral Appointments
2026-013. Reappointment of Chris Akelian to Historical Commission
Reappointment of Chris Akelian to the Historical Commission for a term to expire February 28, 2029.
Mayoral Appointments
2026-014. Reappointment of Normand Pare to Board of Registrars
Reappointment of Normand Pare to the Board of Registrars for a term to expire February 28, 2029.
Mayoral Appointments
2026-015. Reappointment of Annmary Connor to Affordable Housing Trust
Reappointment of Annmary Connor to the Amesbury Affordable Housing Trust for a term to expire April 30, 2028.
Mayoral Appointments
2026-016. Reappointment of Andrew LeFleur to Affordable Housing Trust
Reappointment of Andrew LeFleur to the Amesbury Affordable Housing Trust for a term to expire April 30, 2028.
Mayoral Appointments
2026-017. Reappointment of Wayne Griffith to Community Preservation Committee
Reappointment of Wayne Griffith to the Community Preservation Committee for a term to expire February 28, 2029.
Mayoral Appointments
2026-018. Reappointment of Michael Hogg to Energy, Environmental and Sustainability Committee
Reappointment of Michael Hogg to the Energy, Environmental and Sustainability Committee for a term to expire December 31, 2028.
Mayoral Appointments
2026-019. Appointment of Pamela Gilday to Energy, Environmental and Sustainability Committee
Appointment of Pamela Gilday to the Energy, Environmental and Sustainability Committee for a term to expire December 31, 2028.
Mayoral Appointments
2026-020. Appointment of Kelly Sullivan to Affordable Housing Trust
Appointment of Kelly Sullivan to the Amesbury Affordable Housing Trust for a term to expire December 31, 2028.
Mayoral Appointments
2026-021. Reappointment of Jessica Redfern to Open Space, Natural Resources and Trails Committee
Reappointment of Jessica Redfern to the Open Space, Natural Resources and Trails Committee for a term to expire December 31, 2028.
Mayoral Appointments
2026-022. Reappointment of Michael Hogg to Disposition Committee
Reappointment of Michael Hogg to the Disposition Committee for a term to expire December 31, 2028.
Mayoral Appointments
2026-023. Reappointment of Claudel Frederique to CDBG Advisory Board
Reappointment of Claudel Frederique to the Community Development Block Grant Advisory Board for a term to expire December 31, 2028.
Licenses
Monthly list of licenses – December and January
Monthly list of licenses for December and January.
First Readings
2026-008. Adopt Rules and Procedures for Fifteenth Session
Order to adopt Rules and Procedures for the Fifteenth Session of the Amesbury City Council.
First Readings
2026-024. Five-year copier lease purchase authorization
Request authorization for the Mayor to enter a five-year lease purchase agreement for one new multifunction copier at 62 Friend Street at $185.57/month (60 months) using Sourcewell Contract pricing.
First Readings
2026-025. Rescind MGL Ch.90 §20A½ and accept MGL Ch.90 §20A-2025
Order to rescind acceptance of MGL Chapter 90 section 20A ½ and accept MGL Chapter 90 section 20A (2025) to allow exploration of alternative parking enforcement options, including potential mailing of parking violations (implementation would require future Council approval).
First Readings
2026-026. Pay prior year invoices from FY26 General Operating Budget
Request payment from FY26 General Operating Budget for prior year invoices (requires two-thirds vote) under M.G.L. c.44 s.64.
First Readings
2026-027. Transfer from School Capital Accounts to fund AHS ball field project
Order to transfer $37,772.59 from specified School capital accounts to fund the Diamond Field (ball field) project at Amesbury High School.
First Readings
2026-028. Appropriate $200,000 from Free Cash to Stabilization Fund
Appropriate $200,000 from Free Cash to the General Stabilization Fund to replenish the account as previously directed (majority vote).
First Readings
2026-029. Appropriate $100,000 from Free Cash for City Hall move needs
Appropriate $100,000 from Free Cash to support supplemental and incidental needs following the move into the new City Hall at One Market Street.
First Readings
2026-030. Transfer from Salary Reserve to Police Sick and Vacation Buyback
Transfer $103,376.95 from FY26 Salary Reserve to cover Police and Treasurer/Collector sick and vacation buyback retirement payouts.
First Readings
2026-031. Appropriate from Sewer Retained Earnings for Arch Brook Culvert repairs
Appropriate funds from Sewer Retained Earnings to Sewer/Stormwater Enterprise Fund Pipe & Drain Replacement to cover emergency repairs to Arch Brook Culvert.
First Readings
2026-032. Appropriate from Water Retained Earnings for Main Street Water Main design
Appropriate from Water Retained Earnings for engineering design of the Main Street Water Main Replacement project, funded in part by federal Community Project Funding.
First Readings
2026-033. Transfer from Streets & Sidewalks Stabilization to DPW Streets and Sidewalks
Transfer $231,535 from Streets and Sidewalks Stabilization Fund to DPW Downtown Business District Sidewalks account to improve ~28 downtown crosswalks with ADA tactile pads and cohesive design.
First Readings
2026-034. Accept and expend Last Call Foundation grant for firefighter PSS
Accept and expend a Last Call Foundation grant to purchase 40 Personal Safety Rope Systems (PSS) to equip firefighters with NFPA-compliant escape tools.
First Readings
2026-035. Accept and expend Newburyport Society grant for COA trainee
Accept and expend a Newburyport Society for the Relief of Aged Women grant to fund a Council on Aging job trainee.
First Readings
2026-036. Accept and expend FY26 EOEA formula grant for COA
Accept and expend FY26 formula grant funding from the Executive Office of Elder Affairs to support Council on Aging services (allocation based on adults 60+ population).
First Readings
2026-037. Accept and expend FY26 MassWorks Grant for Route 110 improvements
Accept and expend FY26 MassWorks Grant for Route 110 (Macy Street) improvements between Elm Street/Clark's Road and the I-95 southbound off-ramp, including roadway, multimodal, and utility upgrades to support multi-family development and other housing projects.
First Readings
2026-038. Accept FY26 earmark for Digitization and Preservation of Municipal Documents
Accept FY26 earmarked funds for digitization and preservation of municipal documents to support targeted records preservation and digitization.
First Readings
2026-039. Accept FY26 earmark for Chromebooks
Accept FY26 earmarked funds to purchase Chromebooks for third-grade students in the Amesbury Public Schools.
First Readings
2026-040. Accept FY26 earmark for Parking Study Phase 2
Accept FY26 earmarked funds for Parking Study Phase 2 to plan for future parking capacity and demand, review paid parking and handicapped parking capacity, and provide management recommendations.
First Readings
2026-041. Ordinance to amend Chapter 237 Cemeteries
Ordinance to amend Chapter 237 (Cemeteries) to update provisions and codify a fee schedule based on comparative analysis and Cemetery Advisory Commission recommendations.
Late Files
2026-042. Accept and expend North Shore HOME Consortium grant ($91,983)
Authorize the Mayor to accept and expend a North Shore HOME Consortium grant of $91,983 to support a Homeowner Housing Rehabilitation Program for income-eligible homeowners.